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TLDR: Currently at 2 hours and 32 minutes, "The Batman Unmasked" doesn't redefine the film, but it does cut down a lot of the fat while maintaining the essential mood and story. The cut is complete, uploaded, and ready for your eyes. DM me and I'll send over a link. I need a quality check so please let me know what you think.
I first want to say that I loved the theatrical experience of this movie, and I wanted it to be longer if that was any way possible. Much thanks to Matt Reeves and co. for truly bringing forth detective-noir sensibilities to the Batman film mythos. After I had a chance to rewatch the film a few times, I felt that there was a shorter version in there that makes sense and without sacrificing the tone of what the story is about. I went ahead and gave it a go and I was able to edit the film down to 2 hours and 32 minutes, the same runtime as The Dark Knight (2008). To me, it's better paced. Below are some of the changes:
I've already ran this edit down over at the fanedits subreddit and received a lot of really good feedback. I decided to officially open a thread on it here on the database forums so that I can pull some additional peer review and allow me to formally submit.
I first want to say that I loved the theatrical experience of this movie, and I wanted it to be longer if that was any way possible. Much thanks to Matt Reeves and co. for truly bringing forth detective-noir sensibilities to the Batman film mythos. After I had a chance to rewatch the film a few times, I felt that there was a shorter version in there that makes sense and without sacrificing the tone of what the story is about. I went ahead and gave it a go and I was able to edit the film down to 2 hours and 32 minutes, the same runtime as The Dark Knight (2008). To me, it's better paced. Below are some of the changes:
- WB logo replaced with the 70's variant that shows up at the beginning of Joker (2019). This movie has a pulpy, 70's vibe to it in the same vein as The Conversation (1974) and Taxi Driver (1976) so I thought it was fitting.
- The first darling I had to kill- the binoculars/voyeurism Riddler scene. I really dig Matt Reeves POV shots (ever since Cloverfield!), but I felt that the movie kicks off better with it gone and going straight into Mayor Mitchell's demise, beginning from overlooking the ceiling window. This binoculars scene is the only POV shot I removed entirely.
- The second darling - the fight scene at the train station. I get it. It hurts me too, but I think this scene doesn't really add to the story or mood at all. I watched the Dolby interviews with Matt Reeves and it seems like they were going to remove it anyway but the reaction from the Fandome trailer was so overwhelming that they decided to keep it for sake of Batman declaring "I'm Vengeance." I went ahead and removed it for two reasons: 1. Others call him Vengeance throughout the movie so it's known, and it doesn't need to be said here. 2. Thugs being unafraid of Batman goes against the two previous instances where criminals are terrified of even looking at a dark alley. I understand that not all of Gotham feels the same way about Batman, but I want to maintain that mystique and fear at the start before going into his detective mode as he arrives to Mayor Mitchell's murder scene.
- Removed interaction with Officer Martinez. This is Batman in Year 2, and unless that officer is a rookie, it doesn't make sense that he would harass Batman while he's side by side with Gordon (him being a rookie doesn't matter either). Everyone else's body language and Commissioner Savage's entrance makes it obvious that not everyone in the police force feels the same as Gordon about Batman. Easy removal.
- Removed scene with Selina inside the Taxi. We don't need to see the phone call inside the taxi. We already infer she's involved with Annika, and we already know from the previous shot that Bruce as the Drifter is following her. I also shortened the POV scene of Bruce with the binoculars surveying Selina's apartment.
- Removed scene of Batman putting his gadget contact lens on Selina. It's a touching scene, but I think we get all the same information about Selina and Batman during the actual spying scenario (as she talks to herself/Batman through the device). I felt it was best to go straight into Selina doing the act in club.
- Shortened Riddler abducting DA Colson. I understand it's drawn out for a reason, but it doesn't hurt to edit down just a tad.
- My personal third darling I had to cut. There's a short jumpscare at the orphanage. I loved that horror element, but I took it out for the sake of pacing. Without it, I think it's a better transition from Penguin's interrogation to the revelation of Riddler's hit on Bruce.
- Shortened down shirtless Bruce being emo around Wayne Manor. Don't worry, I didn't edit out too much of that.
- Took out entire scene of Bruce unlocking and discovering his parent's bedroom. I understand that it adds background, but for the sake of tone and story, it doesn't need to be in the movie. Everything we know about Thomas Wayne is conveyed through Falcone's confession and Alfred's confession- both I kept in their entirety.
- Shortened down Riddler's arrest. I don't think we need to see that espresso mug. We get it. It's the Riddler.
- Removed Riddler and Joker scene in Arkham.
- I made a big change on this film's denouement- the wrap of the story. First, I replaced the monologue song with a different song from the soundtrack. I like "Something in the Way" as a needle-drop and I understand why they wanted to bookend the movie this way. But I felt that a different song, an orchestral piece, better serves the ending. I combined Bruce's monologue with his farewell to Selina. This particular edit is of an intercutting nature and I think is best to just see it. It's really hard to explain, but I think it works and really serves the story combining those two elements into a singular, final movement.
I've already ran this edit down over at the fanedits subreddit and received a lot of really good feedback. I decided to officially open a thread on it here on the database forums so that I can pull some additional peer review and allow me to formally submit.
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